Dummy News and Viewsd2oe0cpll210xr.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/...Richard Sheaff, we are told that only 5 or 6 were made but likely not all survived, Very Fine. Photo.

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Dummy News and Views the Newsletter of the United States Stamp Society - Dummy Stamps Study Group

Issue Number 46 Winter 2016 - 2017 �

� Some Interesting Examples of Scott #TD57A MAIL-O-METER Test Coils

by Terry R. Scott

Recently a collection came to light that had some very nice examples of the Scott TD#57A MAIL-O-METER deep purple test coils.

In my years of collecting I can not recall seeing this many of the Scott #TD57A test coils at one time. In fact, I can't recall seeing any examples for sale or auction in the many years that I have been collecting test stamps. That is not to say they have not appeared, it just means that I was not aware of them coming to market.

Scott #TD57A is listed in the Scott catalog with the following description.

Perf. 12 (9 small holes)TD57A TE30 deep purple —

Pair —

No value is given for this stamp.

Illustrated below are a few examples of the Scott #TD57A test stamps.

Scott #TD57A deep purple single test stamp which was not part of this collection.

Shown above is a close-up of the far right stamp from the strip shown on the following page.

please turn to page 2 ➤

Welcome to the Dummy Stamps Study Group’s Forty-Sixth NewsletterThis newsletter is produced quarterly by the United States Stamp Society’s - Dummy Stamps Study Group for

your information and pleasure. We hope that the information included in this newsletter will be informative, useful and encourage your enjoyment of collecting dummy/test stamps. Our goal is to keep you up-to-date with the latest information available to our group. Questions, comments and articles proposed for publication should be directed to Terry R. Scott, Chairman of the Dummy Stamps Study Group at [email protected]

Quarterly Newsletter of the United States Stamp Society - Dummy Stamps Study Group Issue Number 46 Winter 2016 - 2017 � of �1 9

In this issue:Some Interesting Examples of Scott #TD57A MAIL-O-METER Test Coil 1Recent Auctions of Interest 3 Request For Articles For

The United States Specialist 9 Proposed Future DSSG Project 9

mailto:[email protected]


The strip of three shown above has what appears to be a guide line at the far right of the strip, or is it a layout line since there is evidence on another vertical line at the left of the far right stamp and certainly a horizontal line across the top of that stamp. Under (behind) the far right stamp is another Scott #TD57A test stamp that once made this a paste-up strip. It is too bad that the stamps that were once to the right have been removed.

The strip of three shown above has a sheet margin at the far right of the strip and shows evidence that there was probably another Scott #TD57A test stamp stamp pasted on top of this sheet margin that once made this a paste-up strip.

The strip of three shown above has a straight edge at the far left of the strip and shows evidence on the back of the far left stamp that it was once pasted to something, quite possibly on the sheet margin at the right of the strip shown above it. Placing those two strips together, the spacings between the perforations are correct. That would make a beautiful Paste-up strip of 6.

The spacings between the vertical perforations are not quite the same, indicating the perforations may have been applied one column at a time.



The strip of four shown above has "double perforations" in the center of the strip.

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Recent Auctions of Interest to Dummy Stamp Collectors by Terry R. Scott

On January 6, 2017 Paradise Valley Stamp Company held the following sales that contained the following test stamps. There is no Buyer’s Premium for this sale. These lots did not sell at any of these sales.

January 6, 2017 Sale F391January 20, 2017 Sale #393February 17, 2017 Sale #F395March 3, 2017 Sale F397

Lot 3062 1930s, ELECTRIC VENDORS (ZEIGLE), INC. BLANK WHITE RESP. BLUE COIL PAIRS NH, #TD79, mint never hinged, very fine, Photo. Cat. $60.00 Minimum Bid $30 Not sold.

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On January 13-15, 2017 Harmer Schau Auction Galleries, Inc held Sale #112 that contained the following test stamps. There is a 15% Buyer’s Premium for this sale.

Lot 1330 2410 U.S.; Test Stamp, 1989, 25¢ World Stamp Expo '89, #2410, Unique large essay prepared by Richard Sheaff who is credited as the designer of the issued stamp which, while similar, came in a vertical format, Very Fine. Signed by Richard Sheaff. Photo. Estimate $1,000.00 - $1,200.00 (Ed. note: Although this was listed as a test stamp my opinion is that it is not a test stamp but an artist's presentation)

Lot 1331 3209 A-I U.S.; Test Stamp, 1989, Set of BEP Proof Presses, #3209 A-I, Black on glossy paper stock with BEP serial, log number in pen on back, Very Fine. Photos Ex. Estimate $150.00 - $200.00 (Ed. note: Although this was listed as a test stamp my opinion is that it is not a test stamp but without closer examination I would consider it a proof)



Lot 1332 U.S.; Test Stamp, 199? Disney Stationery Essay, Avery Dennison corner card with proposed essay for Mickey Mouse entire with Mickey as Uncle Sam, Very Fine. Photo. Estimate $150.00 - $200.00 (Ed. note: I would classify this as a Test Stamp essay since so few were made.)

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Lot 1333 U.S.; Test Stamp, 1990, Avery Dennison Virginia State Seal Sample Sheet of 20, From the presentation book "Ideas from Avery Dennison, perforated Self-Adhesive stamps for the target markets, great Seals of the fifty states", four different States were presented in the book, Wyoming, Florida, North Carolina and Virginia with two sheets of 20, each one perforated and the other rouletted, this is one of those sheets. Photo. Estimate $150.00 - $180.00 Realized $220.00 (Ed. note: efforts are currently underway to have the Editors of the Scott Specialized Catalogue to list these as Test Stamp Essays.)

Lot 1334 U.S.; Test Stamp, 1993, Greetings From Missouri and Texas Essays, affixed to two different covers autographed and signed by the designer, Richard Sheaff, we are told that only 5 or 6 were made but likely not all survived, Very Fine. Photo. Estimate $400.00 - $500.00 Realized $250.00 (Ed. note: I would classify this as a Test Stamp essay since so few were made.)



Lot 1335 U.S.; Test Stamp, 1997 Avery Dennison Book of 8 Sample Sheets, book "Ideas from Avery Dennison, perforated Self-Adhesive Stamps for Target Markets, Great Seals of the Fifty States", these were likely presented at a U.S.P.S. design retreat, by the staff and art director to prove Avery's capabilities to sell their concept of state seal stamps, four different States were chosen for this presentation, Wyoming, Florida, North Carolina and Virginia, two sheets of each were included, perforated and rouletted, Very Fine. Photos Ex. Estimate $500.00 - $600..00 Realized $1,100.00 (Ed. note: efforts are currently underway to have the Editors of the Scott Specialized Catalogue to list these as Test Stamp Essays.)

�On January 17, 2017 Michael E. Aldrich Auctions

held Sale #80 that contained the following test stamps. There is a 15% Buyer’s Premium for this sale.

Lot 2002 (TD90), ST/4, unused, VF, Photo. Cat. $90.00 Price realized not available.

Lot 2003 (TD109), PR, NH, sharp color, fresh and VF, Photo. Cat. $180.00 Price realized not available.

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On January 19-21, 2017 Regency Superior held Public Auction #125 that contained the following test stamp. There is a 20% Buyer’s Premium for this sale.

Lot 2047 ** USA (TD84A) 1956 BLANK TEST STAMP, FULL PANE. Photo. Estimate: $400.00 Not sold. (See right column for photo) Lot 2048 ** USA (TD84A) 1956 BLANK TEST STAMP, FULL PANE. Photo. Estimate: $350.00 Not sold. (See right column for photo)

please turn to page 6 ➤Quarterly Newsletter of the United States Stamp Society - Dummy Stamps Study Group Issue Number 46 Winter 2016 - 2017

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Lot 2049 ** USA (TD127C) 1996 AVERY DENNISON (-) RED. Photo. Estimate: $400.00 Not sold.

�On January 20-21, 2017 Dutch Country Auctions /

The Stamp Center held Sale #308 that contained the following test stamp. There is a 15% Buyer’s Premium for this sale.

Lot 376 TD127C ** VF NH Avery Dennison self adhesive Test stamp. Photo. Est. $300.00 - $600.00 Realized $100.00�

On February 18-19, 2017 Rasdale Stamp Company held Sale #431 that contained the following test stamp. There is a 15% Buyer’s Premium for this sale.



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Lot 95 ** The mother of all test stamp accumulations. A vast part or the value lays in two issues, TD107 three rolls of 3000 plus five rolls of 100 and forty-seven sheets of 200 of TD117. There is also a scattering of other issues like partial roll of the blank coils, a few brown coil roll plus some miscellaneous pieces. There is even a few complete rolls of German test items thrown in for a bonus. Several life time supplies being offered. Several photos. Suggested bid $400.00 Realized $750.00�



On February 25, 2017 Michael E. Aldrich Auctions held Sale #91 that contained the following test stamp. There is a 15% Buyer’s Premium for this sale.

Lot 1346 ** (TD100A) Gray, Block of Four, OG, NH, fresh and Extremely Fine, nice looking multiple. Photo. CV $300.00 Price realized not available.

Lot 1347 ** (TD108) Carmine, "For Testing Purposes Only", Line Pair, OG, NH, stunning vibrant color and proof like impression, quite fresh and Superb Gem, there are reportedly only three Line Pairs known of which this one certainly has to be the Finest Known, a truly amazing line pair of this extremely rarity, the catalog value listed is for a pair, Scott includes a dash for a line pair, (ENV 2,000-2,500) Photo. CV $1,900.00 Realized $1,200.00�

On March 4, 2017 Raritan Stamps, Inc. held Sale #72 that contained the following test stamp. There is a 15% Buyer’s Premium for this sale.

Lot 219 Sc. #TD107c, TD109b ** 1962-80, ''For Testing Purposes Only'', black on gray paper, imperforated horizontal pair of coil stamps; and green on white paper, top sheet margin vertical strip of three, imperforated horizontally, full OG, NH, VF,Photo. Cat. $450.00 for two pairs. Not sold

�On March 11, 2017 Alan Blair Stamp Auction

held Sale #161 that contained the following test stamp. There is a 10% Buyer’s Premium for this sale.

Lot 919 ** #TD107d Unopened roll of 500 Mint NH Test Stamps 1962-66 block tagged with dull gum, quite a gem CV $1320++ Photo. Estimate $200.00 Not sold.�

please turn to page 9 ➤Quarterly Newsletter of the United States Stamp Society - Dummy Stamps Study Group Issue Number 46 Winter 2016 - 2017

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Requests for Articles for The United States Specialist Leonard Piszkiewicz, Editor of The United States

Specialist, is always looking for articles of interest for inclusion in our society’s monthly publication. The type of articles Len needs most are the shorter ones, one or two-page articles. If you are considering writing an article for The United States Specialist, please contact him for instructions. If the article is regarding dummy stamps, I would appreciate knowing

about it also. Many members of the DSSG have written articles on dummy stamps and other stamps for this publication. It is rewarding and other USSS members benefit greatly from the information that is published in The United States Specialist.

Leonard can be reached by e-mail at: [email protected] ❏

Proposed Future DSSG ProjectUpdating Research Paper Number 3 - Dummy Stamp Booklets

Work is progressing, very much still at a snail’s pace, on updating Research Paper Number 3 - Dummy Stamp Booklets. The last update by Earl McAfee, Dummy Booklets Study Group Chairman, was in 1998. Since then there have been many new discoveries. Many of them have been written up in articles in The United States Specialist. Now the time has come to document and illustrate them in a new updated version of Research Paper Number 3. I am in charge of this update project and knowing that it will take quite a bit of time to complete, have no estimated

completion date in mind. I will be asking all of you to join me in this project as I am not able to do it all, nor would you want me to do it all. It is a DSSG project and all members should have a chance to provide their input. Several illustrations are needed and a listing of these will be sent to you when I compile it. Scans at 300 dpi are necessary for clarity. It is anticipated that this publication will be in color. It has not yet been determined if it will be available on CD. ❏

The Other ProjectsThere are several other projects currently being

worked on by various members of the DSSG. They are as follows:

• Compiling a complete and comprehensive list of dummy test stamp roll sizes, box and roll labels. There are many different styles of labels sometimes found on the same test stamps. This is especially true of Bureau of Engraving and Printing products

• Compiling a complete and comprehensive record of auction appearances and prices realized for test stamps

• Compiling a complete and comprehensive listing of references for test stamps

• Compiling a complete and comprehensive list of plate numbers printed on test stamps and the frequency in which they appear and the frequency of joint lines on test coils when they appear. ❏

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This issue and all past issues of the Dummy Stamps Study Group Newsletter - Dummy News and Views may be found at:

http://www.usstamps.org/dssg.html



http://www.usstamps.org/dssg.html

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